If Pharrell Williams could do it all again, one of Britney Spears’ most iconic tunes would sound a little different.

As one of the writers and producers behind the pop star’s sultry hit single “I’m a Slave 4 U,” Pharrell admitted that he wouldn’t use the word “slave” if he was penning that tune in 2024.

“That’s not a word to play with these days,” the musician recently told The Hollywood Reporter. “And there’s many different angles, right? Obviously, what my people and my DNA and my ancestors had to endure and overcome, but then there’s also all the atrocity that happens in human trafficking every day. So, no, that’s not something I would say.”

Pharell Williams; Britney Spears at the 2001 MTV VMAs


Pharrell Williams and Britney Spears at the 2001 MTV VMAs.Isaiah Trickey/FilmMagic; Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Times change, the songwriter and producer went on to say, adding that such renewed perspectives are ultimately for the best.

“There are a lot of songs that, as the era changes from one day to the next, what was contextually acceptable at one time is no longer acceptable,” he pointed out. “But I think that’s for the better.”

He continued, “I think there are a lot of songs where I wouldn’t say half the things that I said before. As the time changes, so does mentality and hopefully it evolves to a better place. And it’s not about being politically correct, it’s about being universally aware.”

Pharrell teamed up with his then-frequent collaborator Chad Hugo to pen “I’m a Slave 4 U,” a track originally intended for Janet Jackson that would instead become a signature hit for Spears upon its 2001 release. Not only did this lead to the iconic VMAs performance that saw Spears dance with a python draped across her shoulders, it helped signal her transition to a more mature sound.

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Pharrell in concert. Getty Images
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Pharrell recalled Spears being “eager” and “ready” to make that change while recording the song. “I put a fire under that notion,” he said. “I was like, ‘Oh, that’s how you feeling? OK, let’s put this fire under that. Let’s go.’”

Despite his role in that era of her career, Pharrell hasn’t connected with Spears in over a decade.

“Man, I ain’t spoke to Britney in maybe 10-plus years,” he said. “I think I’ve seen her in the elevator one time. I think we were all going into the same place or something. I can remember exactly where it was, and she had her sunglasses on, and I was like, ‘I know that’s Britney. Maybe she doesn’t remember me. That’s fine.’”

Spears showed some love for the song just last year, sharing a clip from her VMAs performance on X (formerly Twitter). “One of my favorite performances was with an albino python,” she wrote. “I still remember how scared I felt when I was handed this snake and took the stage !!!”